Collison seizes biggest moments in Clippers' comeback

May 11, 2014

Updated 7:41 p.m.

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Los Angeles Clippers' forward Blake Griffin finds himself squeezed by Oklahoma City Thunder's center Kendrick Perkins and Oklahoma City Thunder's forward Serge Ibaka while waiting for a rebound during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semi-finals at Staples Center on Sunday, May 11, 2014. MICHAEL GOULDING,, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Los Angeles Clippers' forward Blake Griffin finds himself squeezed by Oklahoma City Thunder's center Kendrick Perkins and Oklahoma City Thunder's forward Serge Ibaka while waiting for a rebound during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semi-finals at Staples Center on Sunday, May 11, 2014. MICHAEL GOULDING,, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

LOS ANGELES – There were big plays and big moments in the Clippers’ 101-99 victory over Oklahoma City in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

No one, however, played perhaps a bigger role Sunday than Darren Collison in the final four minutes at Staples Center.

The Clippers reserve point guard scored 10 of his 18 points down the stretch, including a driving layup that gave them the lead for good with less than a minute to play, that helped the Clippers even the series at two games a piece.

"We just willed this one. We found a way," Chris Paul said.

Paul could easily have said Collison willed this one.Collison found a way to pull the Clippers’ season from the brink and get them even with the Thunder as they head into Oklahoma for Tuesday's Game 5.

Trailing, 88-81, with 4:31 remaining, Collison rebounded Caron Butler's miss, but got fouled by Russell Westbrook, his fifth, on the fast break. Collison made the two free throws to make it 88-83.

Westbrook answered with his own fast-break basket, but was tentative in chasing down Jamal Crawford on the Clippers’ next possession because of the foul trouble. He watched as Crawford hit a 3-pointer with 3:39 left to keep the Clippers within reach.

Then Collison took over, pushing aside all negative thoughts but keeping one running through his mind as the game entered the final minutes and the crowd on its feet, waving white rally towels.

"The whole time I'm thinking we can't be down 3-1 going into Oklahoma," Collison said. "For us, just battling, continuing to fight, tying up the series, (that was) definitely momentum for us."

So he went to work on the Thunder's lead.

Collison first scored on a driving dunk off an assist from Crawford to pull the Clippers within one, 90-89.

He then pumped-faked Kevin Durant into leaving open the entire left side of the court and scored on easy go-ahead layup. Collison added an uncontested layup for a 101-97 lead with 32 seconds left.

Coach Doc Rivers was even more effusive in his praise of Collison, who signed with the Clippers this past offseason. He called the former UCLA star the team MVP.

"He's been unbelievable," Rivers said. "He's played every position for us."

Glen Davis hasn't been with the team long, having joined the Clippers late in the regular season, but said he has seen enough to be impressed with Collison.

"That's what he does," Davis said. "He's not scared of anybody. He goes out there and gets it done. He's a scorer. That's what we needed in that moment."

Matt Barnes added to the chorus of praise heaped on the 25-year-old, even though Westbrook scored a couple of easy layups on him.

"He played with all heart," Barnes said. "He plays as hard as he possibly can. A couple of times, he pressured Westbrook too much and Westbrook got layups. But he went right back at him.

"You have to roll with someone with that much heart."

Collison signed with the Clippers for less money and a back-up spot behind Paul. He could have gone elsewhere for a bigger role and bigger paycheck, but decided to chase titles instead.

Paul is glad Collison chose the Clippers.

"I don't think I've ever had a relationship with somebody like I have with D.C. because we both push each other and motivate each other, maybe because I was a rookie with him in New Orleans," Paul said. "You just got to love a guy like that who plays with so much heart and never gives up.”

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